Dialogue with people will start soon, there should be peace in JK: new LG Manoj Sinha
Srinagar: Pitching for peace and stability in Jammu and Kashmir, the union territory's new lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha on Friday said the administration would soon initiate direct dialogue with the people to end the situation of uncertainty and the menace of terrorism.
Talking to reporters after taking oath, Sinha termed August 5 an important day in the history of Jammu and Kashmir. "After years of isolation, Jammu and Kashmir has joined the national mainstream," he said.
Discussing the priorities of the administration, the 61-year-old former Union minister said, "We need to establish a dialogue with the common people of Jammu and Kashmir.
"We don't have any agenda in that, there will be no discrimination against anyone. Constitution will be Gita in that," he said. Sinha, who was administered the oath of office at a simple ceremony in the Raj Bhavan, said the process of direct dialogue with the people will be start in a few days.
"There should be peace and stability in Jammu and Kashmir. The situation of uncertainty should end, terrorism should end. Achieving all this along with accelerated development will be our aim, our mission," the lieutenant governor said. Sinha succeeds former IAS officer Girish Chandra Murmu, who resigned on Wednesday night and was appointed Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) on Thursday.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Bengal records 18.39 pc turnout in first two hours of voting
Kolkata (PTI): A total of 18.39 per cent of 3.21 crore voters exercised their franchise in the first two hours of polling to 142 constituencies in the second and final phase of West Bengal assembly elections, a senior EC official said.
Till 9 am, Purba Bardhaman district recorded the highest turnout at 20.86 per cent, followed by Hooghly at 20.16 per cent, he said.
Nadia recorded 18.5 per cent turnout, followed by North 24 Parganas (17.81 per cent), Kolkata Uttar (17.28 per cent) and South 24 Parganas (17.25 per cent), Kolkata Dakshin (16.81 per cent), he elaborated.
"Polling is underway peacefully, barring some minor incidents in certain areas. We have sought reports from the officials concerned," he told PTI.
Voting is underway in 142 constituencies in the second and final phase of the West Bengal assembly elections amid unprecedented security arrangements.
Polling began at 7 am with voters lining up outside booths across Kolkata, Howrah, North and South 24 Parganas, Nadia, Hooghly and Purba Bardhaman -- districts that together form the political and electoral core of the state.
A total of 3,21,73,837 electors, including 1,64,35,627 men, 1,57,37,418 women and 792 third-gender voters, are eligible to cast their votes in this phase of polling held at 41,001 stations, all of which have been covered by webcasting.
